Chapter 66: The Sect-Annihilation War is About to Begin (Daily 7,500 Words, Seeking Monthly Passes~)

"Fellow Daoists, the last two horses are racehorses bred by the vassal forces of the Tianshe Sect, but their racehorses have a small difference from the Qing Cong horses."

"Black Zunzhe, peak Chaoyao Realm Xianjia Horse... hold it down, hold it down!"

Just as Zhong Ningyao was introducing them, an accident suddenly occurred.

The Xianjia Horse named Black Zunzhe in the racehorse preparation area suddenly erupted, tearing and biting a nearby Qing Cong horse.

It was covered in snake scales, with fangs in its mouth, and the poor Qing Cong horse it was biting let out howls.

"So shameless, Xianjia Horse? It should be called Snake-Skin Horse!" Cuiguo angrily scolded.

This Miss, who accompanied Zhou Yingxi as a companion, had lived in luxury since childhood, was well-protected, and held a simple sentiment toward the Tianshe Sect, the Red Lantern's competitor.

The Tianshe Sect serves the Heavenly Snake; outsiders call it the Heavenly Snake, but its own people call the Heavenly Snake the Heavenly Immortal.

The magic power and bloodline of the Heavenly Immortal influenced many creatures within the Tianshe Sect's territory; taking this Xianjia Horse as an example, it was born with snake scales.

And within the Tianshe Sect's territory, to express respect for the so-called Heavenly Immortal, they called this snake-scaled horse the Xianjia Horse.

Now, the maddened Tianshe Sect Xianjia Horse was tearing at the Red Lantern's Qing Cong horse, and the spectators in the stands immediately grew angry.

Clearly, as cattle and horses under the Red Lantern banner, they belonged to the Red Lantern's leeks, the leeks of the Great Cultivators, yet they, just like Cuiguo, suddenly felt a surge of anger.

Hearing the curses from the stands, Wang Yulou feared Zhong Ningyao might lose control of the situation, so he transmitted a voice.

"Introduce the second horse directly, don't let them enter the arena for display; start immediately after the introduction."

"By the way, since Black Zunzhe is causing trouble like this, remember to punish it by delaying its start by three breaths."

Now Wang Yulou had also reached the seventh layer of Qi Condensation cultivation, possessed spiritual sense, and transmitting voices was very convenient.

Hearing Wang Yulou's transmitted instructions, Zhong Ningyao steadied her mind, channeled her magic power to speak, and suppressed the audience's curses.

"Fellow Daoists, a small accident has occurred; very well, it will not enter the track for display, we will directly introduce the second horse."

"Haughty Wang, peak Chaoyao Realm Xianjia Horse, from the Tianshe Sect."

"The race is about to begin; hold down Black Zunzhe for me, and punish it by delaying its start by three breaths!"

The spectators in the stands received feedback, their sense of participation was maximized, and they immediately began shouting numbers.

With Zhong Ningyao's command, the racehorses launched from the preparation area.

Black Zunzhe, who had just been insanely arrogant, seeing the other horses leave while it could not move, was so angry that smoke rose from its head.

In the arena, the racehorses chased each other, while Wang Yulou in the stands was secretly using spiritual sense to whisper with Zhou Yingxi.

"Friend Yingxi, tonight I wish to invite you to Zhiwei Fang to taste some freshly slaughtered spirit donkey meat; do you have time?"

Wang Yulou initiated the private conversation first.

"Have you agreed to become a matrilocal son-in-law?" Zhou Yingxi's body did not move, but her heart was startled.

"No, people from your Zhou family came to the Da Da Da Da Huofang and bought many contracts; does this not mean you believe the war between Miaofeng Mountain and Gu Shen Zong will expand?"

Da Da Da Da Huofang is the name of the contract exchange; this shop is nominally engaged in large-scale wholesale.

But the wholesale price is only slightly lower than the market price, belonging to the category where anyone who wholesales is likely to lose money.

The actual business of this shop is brokering contract trades for related goods; relying on this business, Wang Shi has earned a lot in recent years.

However, besides earning spirit stones, Da Da Da Da Huofang has a special function—when the spring river warms, the duck knows first.

Da Da Da Da Huofang is not a duck; it conducts contract negotiations and trades for goods needed for war.

By observing the main bodies of the trading parties, the amount of capital invested, and historical profit-and-loss data, Wang Yulou mastered much information unknown to others.

For instance, which sects and families secretly support Gu Shen Zong, and which are obstructing Miaofeng Mountain, and so on.

The Zhou family had never participated in such contract trades on a large scale; Wang Yulou knew Zhou Yingxi would occasionally play around, but only play around.

But yesterday, an executive from the Zhou family came to Qing Xi Fang, swept through the goods for half a day, and the total value of the purchased contracts exceeded forty thousand spirit stones.

And today, he came again, sweeping through the goods for another morning.

The Zhou family is a Zifu Immortal Clan, and moreover, a Zifu Immortal Clan within the Red Lantern.

What does their sudden behavior represent?

How could Wang Yulou not worry?

"How would I know... Wang Yulou, don't tell me you are unclear about how much I lost at your place!"

Zhou Yingxi felt a bit irritable; Wang Yulou was acting as if her family was secretly obstructing or using underhanded tactics.

"Profit and loss are your own responsibility; you didn't purchase the contracts from me, and you haven't lacked times of making money either."

"Fellow Daoist, do not be unreasonable."

"You say I am being unreasonable?" Zhou Yingxi turned her head directly and applied pressure to Wang Yulou.

"Oh my, the spiritual sense is not enough; let's watch the race."

Wang Yulou rubbed his forehead and looked toward the center of the arena.

That group of Iron-Bone Wolves had caught a stupid horse and was already disemboweling it, making the cultivators' blood boil with excitement.

Wang Yulou's preparation did not fail; this special event was successful.

It was easy to imagine that among the new audience, many would transform into loyal viewers after today and come frequently in the future.

The only one unhappy was the owner of the racehorse that was disemboweled; his horse was simply gone.

But it was not unreasonable; if he coveted the appearance fee for the race, he had to bear the corresponding risk.

Seeing Wang Yulou, that damn thing, focus intently on watching the race, Zhou Yingxi thought for a moment and then transmitted a voice through gritted teeth.

"Wang Yulou, I received news that Gu Shen Zong has already applied to the Xian Alliance to initiate the sect-annihilation war against Miaofeng Mountain."

"Senior Xian Zhou was one of the most brilliant geniuses of our Red Lantern in the past; your Wang Shi should leave that muddy water as soon as possible."

The clapping hands stopped; Wang Yulou turned his head and locked eyes with Zhou Yingxi.

Zhou Yingxi had beautiful peach-blossom eyes, and her pupils were chestnut brown.

"Really?"

Shocked, Wang Yulou forgot to transmit his voice; he unconsciously opened his mouth and asked silently.

Zhou Yingxi glared at him and continued watching the match.

In the arena, Black Zunzhe, who had started later, finally overtook Qing Qilin in first place—after all, his cultivation and realm were higher.

After overtaking Qing Qilin, Black Zunzhe kicked out with one leg, sending Qing Qilin flying toward the Ironhide Wolf pack that was busy dividing the horse meat.

The wolves froze for a moment, and before Qing Qilin could struggle back to its feet, they all pounced together.

Qing Qilin's wailing made everyone feel a pang of sorrow, but Yulou's expression remained as calm as ever.

Find two immortal-armored horses at the peak of the Miscellaneous Demon realm—of course, you could also call them Snake-Scale Horses. Naturally, when finding them, you want them to win.

If you don't let Black Zunzhe or Overlord Wang win, how can you stir up the hype for the Qing Xi Fang horse race?

After transmitting Zhou Yingxi's news to the clan first, Yulou directly closed the Hundred Treasures Pavilion and the Grand Goods Hall.

The war might escalate—close the shops for now, prevent anyone from shorting us. Everything waits until word comes back from the clan!

Only then did he return to Taste Hall, where Zhou Yingxi had already been waiting for quite some time.

"This is my first time learning that a Qi-Drawing Stage Layer 7 cultivator can be so arrogant. Making a Qi-Refining senior wait for you like this—don't you think that's inappropriate?"

Taste Hall's spirit tea topped out at ninth grade. Zhou Yingxi took only one sip, then sat waiting dryly. She figured that getting in just one jab at Wang Yulou was already very restrained of her.

"Apologies, Friend Yingxi. Today I failed in my hospitality, but you know I'm terribly tied up with worldly affairs."

Wang Yulou said with a bitter smile.

Zhou Yingxi didn't make things hard for him. Though the two of them had no fate as Dao companions, as friends their relationship was still quite decent.

"The Wang family certainly has an interesting way of training you two brothers. Sending you to Qing Xi Fang to learn Dao-refining under Master Master Hongmei is one thing, but also making you work part-time as shopkeepers for two stores—don't you find that strange?"

"I can only cultivate for a few hours a day. The rest of the time, I have to put it to use somehow."

Yulou didn't find anything strange about the clan's arrangements.

With Tie Qinhe successfully reaching Foundation Establishment and Wang Rongjiang failing at the last step, being able to contribute to the family through the path of commerce was itself a good thing.

After Red Lantern's harvest and Miaofeng Mountain's welfare handout, a single set of Foundation Establishment resources now costs at least eighty thousand spirit stones.

Over these seven years, Yulou had scraped together half a set of Foundation Establishment resources.

Of course, the spirit stones he earned couldn't all go toward helping Wang Shi cultivators attempt Foundation Establishment, but for a Wang Shi that had been bled to the heel, Yulou had helped the family recover a great deal of blood.

Hearing Yulou's words, Zhou Yingxi felt a bit awkward. She had cultivated in Purple Mansion Cave Heaven since childhood, completing the Qi-Drawing Stage in just two years.

"What exactly did you want me for? The news I told you is true—Gu Shen Zong's Ning Shi have already gone all-out.

Before, their Huishan Prefecture was smashed apart by Miaofeng Mountain. Now they want to use this chance to avenge their sect's destruction.

In the Xian Alliance, many great cultivators and True Persons don't want your family's Master Mangxiang to prove Jin Dan. Stirring things up against Miaofeng Mountain can put pressure on Red Lantern.

So Gu Shen Zong's sect-annihilation war application will most likely be approved. When that happens, Foundation Establishment cultivators can take action within limited scope, and Senior Wang Xian Zhou will inevitably be targeted."

Clan is clan, individual is individual. Zhou Yingxi truly regarded Wang Yulou as a friend—that was the only reason she'd lay out such critical news so openly.

Actually, Yulou and the clan head and other clan members had already had some guesses about Zhou Yingxi's news.

Master Mangxiang proves Jin Dan, Li Haiping opens Purple Mansion.

With Red Lantern expanding like this, Tianshe Sect right on their doorstep wouldn't just sit still and watch.

He just hadn't expected that this kind of interference would start with Gu Shen Zong wanting to wipe out Miaofeng Mountain's Dao lineage.

Once a sect-annihilation war begins, perhaps Purple Mansion great cultivators can preserve their lives, but once all their disciples are gone, the sect's Dao lineage disappears with them.

If Red Lantern steps in to back Miaofeng Mountain, the situation will escalate further, and Master Mangxiang's Dao-proving might be delayed again.

This is the tide of the times. Yulou deliberated, and chose to do what he could.

"... What do you mean 'your family's Master Mangxiang'? Our family doesn't have that kind of fortune—don't talk nonsense."

Over these seven years, he had done much, accomplished much, and in the future he could accomplish even more.

"Friend Yingxi, I plan to hold a special competition in the name of the Hundred Treasures Pavilion—the Qing Xi Fang Talisman Master Tournament.

I'll invite talisman-making masters within a thousand li who are at the Qi-Refining Stage to come to Qing Xi Fang and compete to see whose talisman-making skill is highest.

Based on ranking, I'll give them some rewards.

Through this competition, we can further boost Qing Xi Fang's reputation, and at the same time help the Hundred Treasures Pavilion rise another level."

Zhou Yingxi stared at Yulou in utter shock.

Wait, buddy?

The danger of war is expanding, and you're not even anxious about it.

But you're telling me your response is to hold some talisman master tournament?

That doesn't seem right, does it?

Right? That really doesn't seem right.

"Wang Yulou, a war is about to break out—why do you seem so calm?"

Yulou shook his head and spoke calmly.

"I'm only at Qi-Drawing Stage Layer 7, Friend Yingxi. When giant beasts clash, what could I possibly do?

Nothing more than cultivate well, and at the same time do my best to help the family walk more steadily. The rest, I'm in no position to think about."

Zhou Yingxi was rendered speechless.

True—she was born into a great clan, but what the Zhou Shi could do wasn't much either.

What she could do was equally unremarkable; she was even being arranged by her family to take a designated Dao companion.

She wanted to refuse, but when the towering waves came crashing in, without the clan's protection she had no strength to resist.

So in reality, she had no way to refuse.

Yulou paid no mind to what the woman opposite him was thinking, and continued discussing the Talisman Master Tournament.

"For the competition, I plan to invite three judges: my master Master Master Hongmei Hermit, my clan uncle Wang Rongsheng, and you.

The judges' main duty is to prevent cheating. Considering the room for cheating is limited, this job isn't very difficult.

As for compensation—three hundred spirit stones. What do you think, Friend Yingxi?"

Zhou Yingxi had wanted to say that three hundred spirit stones was a bit too few, but thinking of the Wang family's pitiful state, she changed her tune.

"Fine, this talisman competi—"

"Grandmaster Competition."

"Grandmaster Competition, mm, Grandmaster Competition—when are you planning to hold it?"

Zhou Yingxi usually went into closed-door cultivation for half a month at a stretch, so she had to arrange her schedule in advance.

"My thinking is, we need to spread the word first, let every cultivator within a thousand li who ought to know hear about it, and then hold it.

So let's set the date one month from now. One month should be enough for the news to get out."

Yulou had long since made his plans; the cash-flow trap on the racecourse had taught him a thorough lesson.

"My father is the garrison cultivator, but these years after getting to know you, I've gradually had this feeling.

Yulou, actually you're the one suited to be the garrison cultivator. Apart from your cultivation being lacking, in every other respect, you're very impressive."

The peach blossom-eyed Miss was somewhat wistful—her father only knew how to line his own pockets, and had no thought of running Qing Xi Fang at all.

Yulou, on the other hand, was clearly not in that position, yet everything he did greatly benefited the development of Qing Xi Fang.

That thing called the Bulk Goods Quarter War Supplies Futures Exchange had given Qing Xi Fang a name even within the Red Lantern Society.

The Qing Xi Fang horse-racing grand meeting was only getting better and better. Zhou Yingxi had watched bit by bit as Yulou built up the racecourse—how could she not be impressed?

"The things you've done look like they're just for earning spirit stones, but objectively they've promoted the development of Qing Xi Fang.

I can even feel that the number of cultivators in Qing Xi Fang this year is visibly more than in previous years. For that, I should actually thank you."

Hearing Zhou Yingxi praise him like this, Yulou modestly waved his hand.

"Don't put a tall hat on me. It's really not as impressive as you think—I just caught the dividend after Wolong Quarter disappeared.

Because of the war, Wolong Quarter vanished for the time being, so the number of customers at Qing Xi Fang naturally increased."

This falls under the category of the universality of connection.

On the other hand, Yulou couldn't charge into battle for the Wang family like Wang Xian Zhou, nor could he be the Wang family's stabilizing anchor like Wang Xianmao.

But he also wanted to contribute to the Wang family, so naturally he had to seize opportunities in time and do whatever he was capable of.

Watching Yulou, who carried quite the air of sweeping across the realm with bold strokes, Zhou Yingxi felt the gap between herself and him.

She was like a flower that had grown up sheltered—high cultivation, strong ability, bright future prospects—but lacking in tempering, and would even grow fearful and lost over distant, unrelated matters.

But Yulou was no slouch either. He grew in the cracks where soil was scarce, like a wild grass bursting with vitality, seizing every drop of rainwater, striving to grasp every opportunity he could.

"Wang Yulou…"

Yulou hurriedly swallowed the donkey meat in his mouth and asked,

"What's wrong?"

Zhou Yingxi's gaze flickered as she looked at the plate on the table.

"…the donkey meat at your house really is delicious."